Doomed Confessionary: Manuel Delsol (Iron Lungs)
Photo by Flavie Dhoudain
I don’t know exactly how long it will take but I’ll be posting all these interviews until we’re finished… Let’s go!
Hailing from Toulouse, France, Iron Lungs started as a noisy stoner-punk bass and drum duo and currently performing as a one-man band with Manuel being sole member.
Iron Lungs’ debut EP »Heavier, Louder, Older, Wiser« was released on February 13th, 2023, avaiable on CD and digitally.
Can you say a few words about your band?
Once a bass/drums powerhouse duet performing something called “Stoner-Punk”. Tons of fuzz, solid melodics lines, a lot of drumkit pumellind and a bit of yelling. Now, a solo project with me ripping the bass and yelling to a drum machine.
What was the biggest challenge for the band this year?
Firing the band’s drummer was a bummer. Now I’m in search of a new one, and I currently perform with a drum machine instead. It was not fun having to realize he had to go, but since, gigs are still a lot of fun.
What can you be most proud of this year?
Our first EP, clearly. Three days of recording, and we had great feedback. Playing quite a lot of shows was cool too, even though we often play for half-empty venues.
What was your biggest regret?
Having to cancel two shows and a filmed live session after the departure of the drummer. I asked if he wanted to do them, but he had car problems, his girlfriend was pregnant, so I guess he had stuff to do on his own and won’t blame him for that.
What was the best concert/tour this year and why?
The last gig I did with the drummer was awesome, we played with Mondo Cane, a psych/kraut/noise band from our hometown, at the drummer’s house, which is deep down in the countryside. ots of people came to it, we played kinda well and the other band was awesome too. We also played in this indoor skatepark who books us once in a while, and the place was packed, we had a great time. Also we played at Le Château H, a castle who looks like it belongs to vampires (but the “vampires” are acutally very nice people), again, a great show, I had a photographer friend of mine who came to shoot us and I really don’t regret it.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
The biggest surprise was actually a sad one : we had to cancel a show since the bar’s owner was highly suspected of sexual harassment, spiking drinks and other stuff like that. I was already aware of these issues, but I was surprised to see how many people just didn’t give a fuck, and how many bands are acutally also suspected of being such assholes to women.
Where can we see you live next year (concerts/tours)?
No gigs for next year yet, and only one left to play in December as a solo act… I gotta find a new drummer, or pass my driving license so I can independantly play gigs with that drum machine I mentionned earlier… Which could be a good idea, but if I choose this option, the music may kinda switch to something less rock, less stoner, but with more electronic and experimental sounds. Still wondering.
What are your plans for the next year as a band? What do you personally want the most?
Getting back on tracks, either with a new drummer or alone, but the idea is to continue making cool music, probably with a little more experimentation in it. Oh, and we also had to record a second EP before spring comes, with the guy that recorded the first one… A few fiends who plays drums offered to be there to record them at the sessions, which is good news.
How can people best support your band?
Same as everyone, I guess: get our record, may it be on CD or in digital format, share the music if you enjoy it, and come to our shows if we play somewhere near you.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Believe in what you’re doing, even though it seems hard to make it work… And trust yourself : don’t be afraid to say “no” to people that you can’t keep by your side for some reason, may it be in music or in human relationships. You know what’s good for you more than anyone else.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well